Skin tags (also known as cutaneous papilloma) are smallish, flesh coloured benign skin growths that hang from the skin’s surface. They can vary in size, ranging from just a few millimetres to a few centimetres across. Skin tags are made up of collagen fibres – the main protein in our skin that provides strength and structure – and blood vessels. They are commonly found in areas where the skin rubs together or creases, such as on the neck, armpits, groin, upper chest, under the breasts, and on and around the eyelids.
Skin tags are common with virtually everyone – male and female – experiencing them at one time or another. They do however tend to appear more as we age or if we put on weight. They can also occur during pregnancy.
Unlike warts, skin tags aren’t contagious and won’t spread to other others area of the body through touch. Skin tags are also flat and smooth, while warts have an irregular, bumpy appearance.
Diathermy is a permanent treatment for removing skin tags. Once the skin tag has been removed, the spot where it was removed heals naturally, leaving smooth, skin tag-free skin.
As well as removing skin tags, diathermy is effective for removing Telangiectasia (red veins), Spider Naevi, Cherry angiomas (Blood Spots), Seborrheic Keratosis and Milia. We can also help with Viral Warts Removal and Verruca treatment.
Although non-threatening, skin tags can be problematic if they affect how you feel about your appearance. Physically, skin tags can be painful and bleed if they are snagged while removing or putting on clothes or jewellery. Skin tags in the armpit area can also be nicked during shaving.
Skin tag removal is considered a cosmetic treatment, therefore not offered on the NHS but can be sought privately. You can also administer over the counter ‘freezing’ treatments. It may take several applications to rid the skin tag completely.
Home-based treatments, such as tying off the skin tag with cotton or dental floss to stem the growth’s blood supply (ligation), encouraging it to fall off, are rarely successful.
This is because it is common for several skin tags to appear in one place, making it difficult to treat all of them. They also appear in visible places on the face or body – where having dangling threads isn’t practical – and in hard to reach areas, making it difficult to secure the thread effectively. DIY skin tag removal isn’t recommended for medium and large skin tags as it can lead to bleeding and infection.
One of the latest, most effective solutions is short wave Diathermy (also known as ‘Advanced Electrolysis’) involving removing the skin tag with a small heated probe containing an electric current. Keen to bring the most advanced aesthetic treatments to our clients, our aestheticians are skilled in Diathermy for removing skin tags anywhere on the face and body. Results are permanent, leaving the skin smooth and skin tag-free.
